Lot Ended
Description
Only 33,800 miles from new; restored to Concours-winning
condition in 1991 and meticulously cared for since; few owners, the current for
16 years; multiple show-winner; transferable number plate; huge history file; a
peach of a car in all respects
As you can
imagine, we get to drive a huge variety of machinery at Brightwells, spanning
every decade of the motoring age, but it is always a pleasure to get behind the
wheel of a Sunbeam-Talbot 90. These
are really fine cars with wonderful build quality, supple ride and a
fantastically smooth and willing engine, offering a ‘feel-good factor’ that is
hard to match this side of a Bristol or a Rolls-Royce.
Launched in 1948, the 90 was built by the Rootes Group in Ryton and
was the last car to bear the Sunbeam-Talbot name. Available as a four-door
saloon or two-door drophead coupé, the 90 went through three versions before
production ended in 1954.
While the original
version had a 64bhp 1,944cc side-valve four-cylinder engine derived from a
pre-war Humber unit, the MkII version had 70bhp courtesy of an enlarged 2,267cc
engine plus a much-improved chassis with independent front suspension. Uprated
to 77bhp MkIIA spec in 1952, the last and best model was the 80bhp MkIII of
1954, easily distinguished by the three chromed portholes either side of the
bonnet. The Talbot name was dropped and it was marketed simply as the Sunbeam
MkIII and badged on the radiator shell as the Sunbeam
Supreme.
Immensely strong and blessed with fine
handling for its day with a top speed nudging 100mph for the MkIII version, the
90 enjoyed great success on the international rally circuit, most famously in
the hands of Stirling Moss and Shelia Van Damm on gruelling events like the
Monte Carlo and Alpine rallies.
This fabulous
Sunbeam MkIII comes with an extensive history file from new which will take the
next owner many happy hours to digest. First registered in March 1957, 1081 F
was originally used as a demonstrator by Sunbeam agents Warwick Wright of St
Johns Wood, London. In October 1957 when it had just over 1,000 miles on the
clock, it was sold to a Surrey bank manager, Frank Woodgate, the original
purchase invoice showing that it cost him £1,125 plus another £15 for full
underseal treatment.
It remained in the family
for the next 22 years, Mr Woodgate keeping a meticulous log of all the servicing
carried out on the car up to 1974 by which time it had still only covered 16,650
miles (the odometer failed in March 1966 at 12,100 miles so the speedo was
replaced, as recorded in the log book). Ownership then transferred to his wife
Matilda, who finally sold it to the Penta car dealership in Reading when her
husband passed away in 1979.
It then had two more
owners, both in Reading, before being acquired by a Mr Geoff Leeks of High
Wycombe in December 1985, by which time it was showing 8,600 miles. He
promptly embarked on a meticulous five-year restoration to restore the car to
showroom condition, as detailed in copious invoices and correspondence on
file.
The car was sent to Paul Stott of Personal
Auto Services in Uttoxeter where it was stripped down for a bare metal, glass
out, doors off repaint in the original Dawn Mist over Corinth Blue cellulose.
All the door/window/boot rubbers were replaced along with any trim items that
were less than perfect.
Despite
the low mileage, the engine was stripped and rebuilt with new piston rings,
bearings, timing chain etc, the cylinder head being rebuilt at the same time.
The overdrive gearbox was also completely rebuilt and a new clutch kit fitted,
along with an overhaul of the brakes, steering and suspension. A new cloth-bound
wiring loom was fitted and many of the electrical components were replaced. A
full stainless steel exhaust was specially made and fitted.
The interior was also refreshed with new carpets and headlining, the
original grey leather upholstery needing little more than a deep
clean.
Finally finished and back on the road in 1991, it was inspected for
insurance purposes by the Chairman of The Association of Rootes Car Clubs who
adjudged that: “In view of its excellent condition, very low mileage and
exceptional originality, its replacement value must be not less than
£9,000”.
Mr Leeks kept the car for 25 years,
adding a modest 7,000 miles to the odometer before finally selling it to our
vendor in September 2010 by which time it had covered 15,734 miles. He has
continued to look after the car assiduously, as detailed in invoices on file.
Aside from regular servicing and waxoil treatment, new parts of note include:
new aluminium fuel tank; new fuel pump; new water pump; new brake linings and
wheel cylinders; new front dampers and new window seals.
In June 2014 at c.18k miles it got a new set of Avon Turbospeed
tyres. In 2020 at 20,500 miles, the gearbox and the overdrive unit were fully
reconditioned by Nicol Transmissions of Kidderminster, the gearbox being removed
and refitted by Midland Classic Resorations of Ombersley who also fitted a new
clutch, the bill for this lot coming to a whisker under
£4,000.
Our vendor has also taken the car to
various shows and scooped several awards, including Best Saloon at the Sunbeam
National Rally in 2013; Best in Show at Arley Arboretum in 2014; Best in Class
at Shelsley Walsh and Best in Class at Stafford Castle in 2015; Best Saloon at
the Sunbeam National Rally at Charlecote Park in 2019.
As Mr Woodgate did in the 1950s and ‘60s, our vendor has also kept a
detailed log of every journey made in the car during his 16-year ownership.
Stored inside a Carcoon in a nice dry garage when not in use, this wonderful
Sunbeam comes with a large history file including no fewer than 37 old MOTs from
1963 – 2024 to warrant the mileage which currently stands at 21,704 miles plus
12,100 miles prior to the speedo change in 1966 which gives 33,804 miles in
total.
As you can see in the photos, this
pampered and much-loved Sunbeam is still in wonderful condition throughout, with
excellent paintwork and beautifully mellowed original upholstery. It has been
starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with
healthy 50psi oil pressure and bags of grunt from that lovely Alpine
Rally-winning engine. The icing on the cake is the original 1081 F number plate,
which is transferable and no doubt has a significant value of its
own.
Surely the nicest and lowest mileage example
remaining, this Sunbeam MkIII is only reluctantly for sale due to the
advancing years of the owner and is no doubt capable of scooping more silverware
on the show circuit, should the fortunate new owner feel so inclined.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 –
james.dennison@brightwells.com